MLD was developed and studied by Dr Emil Vodder in the 1930s. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is defined as a precise, gentle and rhythmic pumping massage technique that enhances lymphatic fluid movement in order to assist in cleansing the body (including skin, muscles, organ tissues and blood) of toxins, metabolic wastes, excess water, bacteria, and inflammatory materials. The Lymphatic System is our body’s main waste management transport system. It silently cleans up the “mess” left behind  by nearly all bodily systems. Long-term stress, injury, surgery, prolonged exposure to illness, toxins, pollutants, alcohol, drugs (including prescriptions), sedentary lifestyles, improper diet, and poor health habits in general, can lead to sluggish or stagnant lymph fluid. Once this occurs, the system can no longer work efficiently. Effects of this may include feeling more fatigued/less energy, “foggy” headed, lowered immune response, slower healing/recovery, and increased pain. Lymph fluid can only be moved with exercise, deep breathing and manually moving or “pumping” it.